Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In this amendment, what we're attempting to do again is to ensure that the way in which the bill is interpreted and applied will not be negative for first nations' rights.
The Assembly of First Nations' evidence before this committee was that they were concerned that aboriginal treaty rights are not included as factors for which the board may order a company to take measures under the section. The Assembly of First Nations is recommending that the National Energy Board be empowered to make orders to recognize, protect, and implement aboriginal and treaty rights.
That will be accomplished through the insertion at the end of subsection 48(1.1) of a paragraph (c), “the protection, recognition and implementation of aboriginal and treaty rights”, giving the National Energy Board the ability to order a company to take measures in respect of those considerations that are critical for the Government of Canada to ensure that first nations' treaty rights are protected by those dealing with pipelines in their territory.